Don Quijote LDP funds said illicit

CHIBA (Kyodo) A Liberal Democratic Party prefectural chapter led by Kensaku Morita, who won the March 29 Chiba gubernatorial election, received illegal corporate donations in 2005 and 2006, sources said Friday, citing the chapter’s political funds statements.

The LDP’s second Tokyo chapter for Lower House lawmakers received ¥6.5 million in 2005 and ¥3.6 million in 2006 from discount chain Don Quijote Co., whose foreign ownership exceeded 50 percent, a transaction then banned under the Political Funds Control Law.

Don Quijote’s financial statements showed foreigners and foreign entities owned more than 50 percent in the discount chain both in 2005 and 2006.

Speaking through his office, Morita said, “I am not in a position to know about the composition of Don Quijote shareholders, but I will deal with the matter appropriately after confirming the facts.”